There’s something so comforting about classic dishes wrapped in vibrant cabbage leaves, and this Easy Cabbage Rolls with Tomato Sauce Recipe hits that cozy spot perfectly. The melding flavors and tender texture make it a soul-warming meal that’s surprisingly simple to prepare.

The image shows two rolled cabbage leaves stuffed and covered with a thick red tomato sauce on a white plate with light grey lines. The stuffed cabbage rolls are yellowish-green with a soft texture, and the sauce on top is unevenly spread, showing a rough, chunky texture with a bright red-orange color. The plate sits on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Easy Cabbage Rolls with Tomato Sauce Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Easy Cabbage Rolls with Tomato Sauce Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Easy Cabbage Rolls with Tomato Sauce Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

This isn't just any cabbage roll recipe—it's one I come back to again and again because it’s a perfect balance of hearty, fragrant, and just a little bit exotic with those warm spices. Plus, it’s incredibly forgiving, so even if you're not a pro in the kitchen, you’ll feel like one after making it.

Simple preparation: You don’t need fancy skills or hard-to-find ingredients to put this dish together.
Flavor-packed tomato sauce: The sauce has subtle hints of cinnamon and cumin that bring a cozy depth you won’t expect.
Customizable filling: Using a mix of ground turkey and Italian sausage means the rolls are juicy and full-bodied, but you could easily swap or omit meats.
Great for meal prep: This recipe makes plenty to feed a crowd and reheats beautifully for leftovers.

A close-up of a stuffed cabbage roll with three visible layers: the outer layer is soft yellow cabbage leaves wrapped around, the middle layer is light brown cooked ground meat filling with a grainy texture, and the top layer is a red tomato sauce coating some parts of the cabbage roll. The cabbage roll sits on a white plate with a light brown sauce spread around it. In the background, a glass baking dish holds similar stuffed cabbage rolls on a white marbled surface. The photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient in this Easy Cabbage Rolls with Tomato Sauce Recipe is chosen to bring out the best flavor and texture. The blend of spices and fresh aromatics makes the sauce sing, while the mix of meats and rice keeps the filling balanced and juicy.

Flat lay of a whole head of fresh green cabbage with crisp leaves, a small white ceramic bowl filled with fluffy cooked white rice, a mound of raw ground turkey in natural pink tones, a mound of raw Italian sausage with marbled fat and rich red color, one whole clean uncracked brown egg, a small white ceramic bowl holding golden Italian bread crumbs, a small white ceramic bowl with diced bright red onion, a small white ceramic bowl with minced fresh white garlic cloves, a small white ceramic bowl filled with vibrant red crushed tomatoes, a small white ceramic bowl with smooth red tomato sauce, a small white ceramic bowl containing fine white granulated sugar, small piles of ground warm brown cumin and reddish-brown ground cinnamon powders arranged separately, a small white ceramic bowl of clear golden chicken stock, a few sprigs of fresh bright green parsley, and small piles of coarse kosher salt and freshly cracked black peppercorns—all arranged with perfect symmetry and realistic proportions, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Green cabbage: Freezing the cabbage first is my favorite hack to make peeling off leaves easier—no more tearing or struggling!
Cooked white rice: Acts as a binder and adds a lovely tender bite that soaks up flavors from the meat and sauce.
Ground turkey and Italian sausage: The turkey keeps it lean, and the sausage adds a savory richness with hints of herbs and spice.
Egg: Helps hold the filling together without making it dense.
Italian bread crumbs: Absorb moisture and add a subtle texture that keeps the filling from feeling mushy.
Red onion and garlic: These aromatics build the foundation of flavor for both the sauce and filling.
Crushed tomatoes and tomato sauce: Forms the luscious base of the cooking liquid, bringing acidity and a smooth texture.
Sugar, cumin, and cinnamon: A trio I swear by—it balances acidity, adds warmth, and gives a little hint of surprise in every bite.
Chicken stock: Adds extra depth to the sauce and keeps the rolls moist while baking.
Fresh parsley: Stirred in right at the end for a fresh, herby pop that brightens the dish.
Kosher salt and black pepper: Essential seasonings that bring all the flavors together.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

I love to switch things up depending on the season or what I have on hand. This recipe is so adaptable — you can easily swap out meats, adjust spices, or even make it vegetarian-friendly with some simple tweaks.

Variation: One time, I swapped the Italian sausage for spicy chorizo, and it gave the rolls a fantastic kick. It was a big hit with friends who like a little heat.
Vegetarian option: Try using a hearty mix of lentils, mushrooms, and walnuts instead of meat. It softens the texture and packs plenty of flavor.
Herb swaps: Fresh dill or oregano work beautifully in place of parsley for an interesting twist.
Spice balance: Feel free to dial back the cinnamon or cumin if you prefer a more traditional tomato flavor.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Easy Cabbage Rolls with Tomato Sauce Recipe

Step 1: Freeze and Prep Your Cabbage

I always freeze my whole head of cabbage for 24 hours before I start. This is a game-changer because when you thaw it for a couple of hours afterwards, the leaves slide off effortlessly. It saves so much frustration and preserves the leaf’s shape beautifully.

Step 2: Make the Flavorful Tomato Sauce

Sauté diced red onion and minced garlic in a little olive oil over medium-high heat until they're soft and fragrant—around 6 to 8 minutes. Then stir in crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, sugar, cumin, cinnamon, and chicken stock. I like to let this simmer gently, then take it off the heat to cool slightly before pouring over the rolls. The spices add a lovely aromatic warmth you won’t want to skip.

Step 3: Mix the Filling

In a large bowl, combine cooked rice, ground turkey, Italian sausage, an egg, and Italian bread crumbs. Make sure you mix everything thoroughly but gently — overmixing can make the filling tough. Season with salt and pepper, of course! This combination creates a juicy filling that holds together well without being dense.

Step 4: Assemble the Rolls

Lay a cabbage leaf flat, then use a medium ice cream scoop (love using this for consistent portions!) to drop the filling onto the widest part of the leaf. Fold in the sides and roll tightly but without tearing. Repeat until you’ve used all your filling and leaves. It’s a bit like wrapping a little gift, and you’ll get better with each roll.

Step 5: Bake to Perfection

Pour half the sauce into your casserole dish, nestle the rolls snugly in, then cover them with the remaining sauce. Bake at 350ºF for 45 to 50 minutes. You’re looking for tender meat and soft cabbage that still holds its shape. The kitchen smells incredible once these are out of the oven!

Top Tip

After years of making cabbage rolls, I discovered a few simple tricks that make this recipe foolproof and elevated every time I make it.

Freezing the cabbage: Trust me, this makes peeling leaves a breeze and keeps them intact without splitting.
Consistent filling portions: Using a medium ice cream scoop not only saves time but helps your rolls cook evenly.
Let the sauce cool before pouring: Adding hot sauce right away can wilt the cabbage prematurely; a rested sauce keeps everything tender.
Don’t overmix the filling: Mix gently to avoid dense meat rolls and keep them light and juicy inside.

How to Serve Easy Cabbage Rolls with Tomato Sauce Recipe

Garnishes

I typically sprinkle fresh minced parsley over the top just before serving for that fresh green pop. A dollop of sour cream or plain Greek yogurt on the side adds a cool contrast that balances the warm spices perfectly.

Side Dishes

This dish shines on its own, but I love serving it alongside a simple cucumber salad or some crusty bread to soak up the delicious tomato sauce. Roasted root vegetables also complement the flavors really nicely for a complete meal.

Creative Ways to Present

For dinner parties, I sometimes stack the rolls on a large serving platter, drizzle extra sauce artistically, and scatter toasted pine nuts and fresh herbs on top. It looks stunning and lets your guests dig in buffet style, which is always more fun.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftover cabbage rolls hold up beautifully in an airtight container in the fridge for up to four days. I find the flavors actually improve once they’ve had time to meld overnight.

Freezing

I often make a double batch, assemble the rolls but don’t bake, then freeze tightly wrapped. When I’m ready, I simply thaw and bake as instructed. They freeze well for up to three months without losing any flavor or texture.

Reheating

Reheat leftovers gently in the oven at 325ºF covered with foil to keep moisture intact. Microwave works too—just cover loosely and heat in short intervals, stirring the sauce between, for even warming.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use fresh cabbage instead of frozen?

You can, but freezing makes peeling leaves much easier and prevents tearing. If using fresh, blanch the whole head in boiling water for a few minutes to soften the leaves instead.

What can I substitute for Italian sausage?

Ground pork, beef, or even turkey seasoned with Italian herbs and a pinch of fennel seeds work well as substitutes. This keeps the flavorful, savory element intact.

Can I make this recipe vegetarian?

Absolutely! Replace the meats with a mix of lentils, chopped mushrooms, cooked quinoa, and walnuts to mimic a similar texture and richness. Use vegetable stock in the sauce to keep it vegetarian.

How do I prevent the rolls from falling apart?

Make sure to mix the filling gently without overworking it and fold the cabbage leaves tightly around the filling, tucking in the sides before rolling. Baking covered in sauce also helps hold everything together.

Final Thoughts

This Easy Cabbage Rolls with Tomato Sauce Recipe has a special place in my kitchen rotation. It’s satisfying, forgiving, and always invites compliments when friends join for dinner. I hope you enjoy making it as much as I do — it’s a lovely way to share a little comforting tradition with your loved ones.